How to get better MPG

[phr1$k37]

Hi Everyone!

Before I post what I intended to I want to say hi to everyone and happy birthday to all who has celebrated another year of aches and pains but hopefully with lots of joy and happiness!

I have been very busy with life, family and in terms of pains a lot of injuries. For anyone who has experience being restricted in movement due to breaks and tears you know it sucks. I tore my LCL in my right knee (again), put my lower back out (1st time that I was not able to put on socks), dislocated my right shoulder (again) and the list goes on. Sadly I am only 26 and without my own children yet. So it is time to smarten up.

Okay how to get better MPG ... a catch line cause honestly this post is a reminder that changing fluids is how you re-gain the MPG you have lost.

I run lifted and daily on LT235/75/15 Toyo Open Country ATs and average 17.5L/100KM to 19.5L/100KM in the city (13.4MPG-12.4MPG) and with short freeway driving it improves to 16L/100KM easily (14.7MPG). I run her hard and I dont granny drive. Long trips loaded up going through hills and all I get amazing results 13.5L/100KM (17.4MPG).

Well I have been lazy and finally after 70000km (where I usually change every year ~25000km) I change my rear and front differential axle oil.

OH My *#!#@!$
I gain back a good 2-4L /100KM hands down without trying to drive polite.

My daily cruising to work why cursing at all the morning UNAWAKENED drivers and getting stuck at every stop light use to be 19L/100km (12.4MPG) and now? 16.7L/100KM (14.1MPG).

My average now in the city is ~13.5L/100KM (17.4MPG).
Talk about regaining lost mileage!!!

I know there are folks on this board that get WAY better than me but I am shuttling a lot of people all the time as well I dont baby drive my rides :p

Just wanted to put out word that if you want to get some MPG back it is in my firm belief to change up the oils. I know many people dont do diff oils. I always do but I got lazy recently with all the injuries. DO IT!

As well for the curious I think any oil is fine but for me I am using Royal Purple. If "other" oils are on sale... buy it.

[astrozam]

Good to see your still ( barely ) breathing, there Frisky o'le boy...lol. I don't know what you are doing to beat yourself up like that but I'd like to make the suggestion to STOP! The one good thing about getting older is you learn to do things a little smarter and less risky, other than that its good to hear from ya

[Smiliesafari]

It sounds like you have spent some time in a blender. Not only are you supposed to get smarter but when you get to my age all of those injuries are going to come back to kick your butt all over again.

[ihatemybike]

Had my right ACL rebuilt when I was 24, snapped my right leg at 26. 34 new, for the most part I never notice the repairs and I'm riding my bike as hard as ever, harder even, just wearing more padding. I live by the never slow down, never grow old philosophy. One day it may catch up with me, but I'll have some good stories to tell.

[phr1$k37]

Thanks for the kind and thoughtful words for encouragement everyone.
What I listed is barely everything I have done to my body. I am the type of person who does not visit family doctors because I know what is wrong and go natural to fix but I go to ER a lot for the broken things that need to be operated on LOL. My record is 12 x-rays in a year which is over the limit ... the 12 in a year does not include the "check ups" so it is bad.

Aaron ... I caution you. Our bodies are amazing but we still need to take care of it. Good stories yes but my mental mind is telling me it would be nice to be able to pick up a grand child yet alone chase them around a park. Before I even get there I need to have children myself! hah ha.

Hey ... whatever happened to talking about MPG!?
I guess we are now talking about getting maximum MPG out of life itself first yet alone the vehicles we drive

I forgot to mention that in the past 3 months I have made two ICBC (auto insurance) claims already. Freaking people think Princess is some big bubble that they can crash into so much!

[Kidhauler]

Abe if I was you I would mount a huge 1/4 inch plate steal bumper on the back of that thing with some extra brake lights in it. You have been hit more times than everyone else I know put together.

The other way to get better MPG is not to push the right peddle so hard.

You have to come out to one of the meet ups one day. Probably next week Sanj and I are going to finish installing the AirLift airbag system in my van. We got the pump mounted and the gauge but are just waiting for the bags to come in.

[SoCalli V8]

Just like Kidhauler said.... Slow down a little, and be gentle and gradual on the gas pedal, coast upto red stoplights with your foot off the gas. Drive like a Grandma, and you will see better gas milage, or install a late model V8 into your van, which are much more fuel effecient these days, especially powering your lighter van.

I saw a +2mpg around town and a +4/5/6mpg on a long run, because my old-skool `92 V8 is at a high idle at 75mph. `96 and above Vortec motors fitted into an Astro will get better #`s because they are more effecient and powerful.

[reaper]

Abe,
What the hell??,We are all out enjoying ourselves & you're out gettin' broken!
If you want better fuel economy,stay out of the throttle.(I know how you drive) [-X
When was the last time you replaced the cap,rotor,plugs n' leads??.
Stop by Kevin's if you get a chance to have a look at the airbag install (hopefully this
weekend).
Hey Kevin,Did you get the CD player installed in your van yet??

[phr1$k37]

Mr D! Yes it would be nice to have a V8 in my ride heh. In the mean while the little strong V6 will do :p I am always up for finding ways to get more power ... money isnt the issue, time is!

Sanja & Crash! Airbags for good 'ole Kevin is a great idea consider how he likes to boulder into stationary garbage dumps
REALLY!? Kevin is this for all the towing you do and to level out? What are you two doing on Friday? I took the day off to take my dog to vet and then Saturday till all of Thursday I am off camping. Got three weddings to usher at this August :p

Yah I know ... staying off the right throttle helps but seriously after I changed the fluids I HAD to stay off more often cause she coasts so well! Honestly this Richmond traffic is brutal. So many stop lights and folks who should receive a driving exam again.

Wait Kevin .. I have not seen your new ride yet! YIKES!

[Kidhauler]

Well I don't need to steal your seats anymore. My van has the same benches but not in leather. It is seriously the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. Every time I take someone for a ride I get comments on it.

[phr1$k37]

Every time I take someone for a ride I get comments on it.

Yups! I know the feeling! It sure makes a statement when you got a bunch of children to teenagers to adults that "fight" over "I'm riding with Abraham" every time I go help at a volunteer thingy or event of anything
Hey seriously ... you guys working on the truck on Friday?

[Kidhauler]

I don't think my bags will be in until next week. i am going to call them on friday to see if they have any info. They were saying 10 days so that would be next Tues at the earliest.

[reaper]

Hey Kevin,
Thanks for the cool signature.